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It’s been a dynamic and rewarding few weeks for the BOB Digital and DSPT Support Team, as we continue to support care providers across the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West (BOB) region in strengthening their digital resilience and data protection practices. 

DSPT Deadline Support 

We’ve been working closely with providers to help them meet the 30 June 2025 deadline for updating their Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT). Whether it was your first time completing the DSPT or a yearly update, our team provided tailored support, training, and one-to-one guidance to ensure providers felt confident and compliant 

Training and Webinars 

Throughout June and July, we hosted a series of interactive webinars and drop-in sessions to walk providers through the latest DSPT requirements and changes, including new requirements for 2024/25. These sessions were well attended and received great feedback for their practical, step-by-step approach 



Thank You to Our Local Authority Commissioning Teams 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the privilege of meeting with several local authority commissioning teams to discuss a critical issue facing the Adult Social Care sector: the urgent need to take data and cyber security seriously. 

The Stakes Are High 

Cyber threats are no longer hypothetical—they’re real, frequent, and increasingly sophisticated. We discussed recent high-profile cyber incidents that have disrupted care services and compromised sensitive data. What’s especially alarming is that medical information is worth 10 to 40 times more than credit card details on the black market. And social care providers often hold the “golden ticket”—a combination of both health and financial data. 

Commissioning teams play a vital role in helping us spread the word. By embedding cyber security expectations into contracts, supporting provider education, and championing best practices, commissioners can help drive a cultural shift across the sector. 

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the local authority commissioning teams who recently took the time to meet with us and engage in meaningful discussions around data and cyber security in Adult Social Care. 

Your thoughtful questions, insights, and willingness to explore the challenges and opportunities in this space made for a truly valuable and productive session. It’s clear that there is a shared commitment to strengthening the sector’s resilience and protecting the sensitive data of those we care for.

We look forward to continuing this important work with you. 

Still Haven’t Completed Your DSPT?

Let’s Get It Done Together

Feeling overwhelmed by the Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT)? You’re not alone—and the good news is, you’re probably closer to completion than you think! 

Most care providers already have many of the required policies and procedures in place. The DSPT is simply a way to bring it all together, demonstrate your commitment to data security, and meet essential compliance standards. 

Why It Matters: 

Completing your DSPT isn’t just a tick-box exercise—it’s a vital step in protecting the sensitive data of those you care for, building trust with partners like the NHS, and accessing key digital services such as NHSmail. 

We’re Here to Help! 

Whether you’re just getting started or stuck on a specific section, our team at BOB Digital and DSPT Support Organisation is ready to support you.

We offer: 

• One-to-one sessions (virtual or face-to-face) 
• Step-by-step guidance tailored to your service 
• Friendly advice to make the process smooth and stress-free 

Reach out today to book your support session and let’s get your DSPT completed—together! Digital @oacp.org.uk 

Help Shape the Future of Cyber Security

in Adult Social Care

We’re excited to share that a talented cyber security student from Lancaster University, is currently undertaking a research dissertation project with us at Digital Care Hub. His focus? Exploring the incident response landscape in the Adult Social Care sector. 

This important research aims to shed light on how the sector currently handles cyber incidents and what a dedicated cyber response body could look like in the future. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, understanding the sector’s preparedness and response mechanisms is more crucial than ever. 

To support this work, we’re inviting you to take part in a very short survey.

It covers key areas such as: 

• Experiences with cyber incidents 
• Reporting procedures 
• Levels of cyber awareness 

Your input will be invaluable in helping us build a clearer picture of the current landscape and identify areas for improvement. 

Incident Response in Adult Social Care 

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with your colleagues. Together, we can help strengthen cyber resilience across the Adult Social Care sector. 

Thank you for your support! 

The Digitising Social Care programme commissioned the Digital Care Hub to develop guidance for adult social care providers on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Throughout 2024, the Digital Care Hub convened three virtual meetings with interested care providers to discuss AI.   

The findings from these meetings can be found on the Digitising Social Care website, AI in Adult Social Care and include top tips on AI. The findings explore how artificial intelligence is being integrated into care delivery to enhance both administrative efficiency and the quality of support provided to individuals. 

New advice from The Digitising Social Care programme on guidance for providers using AI - Digital Care Hub 

Have You Experienced a Cyber Incident? 

Digital Care Hub are looking to hear from Adult Social Care providers who have experienced a cyber security breach or data incident. Your story—whether big or small—could help others in the sector understand the risks and learn how to respond effectively.

Sharing your experience can be completely anonymous, and we’ll work with you to ensure your privacy is respected. If you're open to contributing, please contact Angie in the first instance and I will put you in touch with the lovely national team. Your insights could make a real difference in strengthening the sector’s resilience. 

 Join the TEC-LD Knowledge-User Network

Are you a support provider with a special interest in the use of technology in social care? Would you like to be part of a national research project shaping how mainstream (non-specialist) technology can be used in social care for adults with a learning disability? 

The TEC-LD project (Technology-Enabled Care for people with Learning Disabilities), funded by NIHR and led by the University of Sheffield, is inviting support providers to join a Knowledge-User Network. This network will meet six times over the course of the two year project to offer insight, advice, and practical experience that will directly shape how the research is done and, ultimately, help co-design tools that support informed decisions about the use of this technology. 

The meetings will be held online and last one and half hours. The first meetings will be held: 

• 18th September 2025 1-2.30pm 
• 4th February 2026 10-11.30am   

If you are interested in joining the Knowledge-User Network or would like an informal conversation about the opportunity, please contact Dr Alice Dunning, TEC-LD Co-Lead: a.dunning@sheffield.ac.uk 

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, said: 

At around 3pm on Sunday, September 7, millions of people across the country will read this message on their mobile phones during a critical national test of our Emergency Alerts system.  

Just like the fire alarm in your house, it’s important we test this system so that we know it will work if we need it. The alerts have the potential to save lives. 

The message, which will be sent to all 4G and 5G phone networks in the UK, will make clear that this is a test and no further action is required. It also includes a sentence in Welsh, directing speakers to a full translated version of the text. 

The message will say: 

“This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. 

“You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 

Angie McNally

Project Lead Digital and DSPT Officer

National Multi-site Provider Coordinator

01235 248094

Angie.McNally@oacp.org.uk

As your official local support partner, we're here to help. Contact our team for FREE!

If you would like support with completing the DSPT, book your 1-1 now!

This offer of support is part of the Better Security, Better Care programme, to give free support data and cyber security across the adult social care provider sector.